A smoke ball is a type of firework designed to produce smoke when ignited. These were originally used for military purposes and are used by magicians worldwide. Smoke balls consist of an oxidizer, which is potassium nitrate, and a fuel, which is sugar. Sugar is an organic compound, it refers to any monosaccharide or disaccharide. The purpose of this experiment is to use different types of sugar to figure out which fuel makes the smoke last longer.
Procedure
First, we measured out 60 grams of Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) and 20 grams each of powdered and granulated sugar. Then we simultaneously mixed and heated 30 grams of KNO3 with each type of sugar, stirring every 30 seconds. We made sure to heat the mixtures over a low temperature so that they would not burn and turn black. After about 15 minutes, we removed the mixtures from the hot plate and scooped them both out of their beakers and let them harden on a sheet of paper. Once solid, we took the hardened mixtures outside. Finally, we used a blow torch to carefully ignite the smoke balls and we took note of each one's smoke duration period.
Results
Smoke Duration of Different Types of Sugars
Sugar Type
Smoke Duration
Granulated Sugar
35 seconds
Powdered Sugar
12 seconds
As shown in the table, the granulated sugar had a longer smoke duration period than the powdered sugar. While the granulated sugar mixture was smoking it created a red/orange flame, and the powdered sugar mixture created a pinker flame. After the mixtures had burned and created smoke, they left behind traces of sugar in the pan that they were burnt in.
Conclusions
The granulated sugar mixed with potassium nitrate had a longer smoke duration than the powdered sugar mixed with potassium nitrate. More of the granulated sugar mixture was used than the powdered sugar, and granulated sugar is the most commonly used sugar when making a smoke bomb. While we were heating the potassium nitrate mixed with the powdered sugar it became very hard stir as the mixture became a hard, sticky solid. We suggest that the mixture with the powdered sugar be taken off the hot plate earlier, in order to make more use of the mixture. Some of the mixture from the powdered sugar was not used, because it was stuck to the sides of the beaker. If there would have been more of the mixture (powdered sugar and potassium nitrate) put to use there might have been a longer smoke duration. One way to build on this experiment would be to use different monosaccharides to further test fuels. Different oxidizers could be tried as well.
Table of Contents
Reaction of Potassium Nitrate and Sugar
Amanda, Christian
Introduction
A smoke ball is a type of firework designed to produce smoke when ignited. These were originally used for military purposes and are used by magicians worldwide. Smoke balls consist of an oxidizer, which is potassium nitrate, and a fuel, which is sugar. Sugar is an organic compound, it refers to any monosaccharide or disaccharide. The purpose of this experiment is to use different types of sugar to figure out which fuel makes the smoke last longer.
Procedure
First, we measured out 60 grams of Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) and 20 grams each of powdered and granulated sugar. Then we simultaneously mixed and heated 30 grams of KNO3 with each type of sugar, stirring every 30 seconds. We made sure to heat the mixtures over a low temperature so that they would not burn and turn black. After about 15 minutes, we removed the mixtures from the hot plate and scooped them both out of their beakers and let them harden on a sheet of paper. Once solid, we took the hardened mixtures outside. Finally, we used a blow torch to carefully ignite the smoke balls and we took note of each one's smoke duration period.
Results
Smoke Duration of Different Types of Sugars
As shown in the table, the granulated sugar had a longer smoke duration period than the powdered sugar. While the granulated sugar mixture was smoking it created a red/orange flame, and the powdered sugar mixture created a pinker flame. After the mixtures had burned and created smoke, they left behind traces of sugar in the pan that they were burnt in.
Conclusions
The granulated sugar mixed with potassium nitrate had a longer smoke duration than the powdered sugar mixed with potassium nitrate. More of the granulated sugar mixture was used than the powdered sugar, and granulated sugar is the most commonly used sugar when making a smoke bomb. While we were heating the potassium nitrate mixed with the powdered sugar it became very hard stir as the mixture became a hard, sticky solid. We suggest that the mixture with the powdered sugar be taken off the hot plate earlier, in order to make more use of the mixture. Some of the mixture from the powdered sugar was not used, because it was stuck to the sides of the beaker. If there would have been more of the mixture (powdered sugar and potassium nitrate) put to use there might have been a longer smoke duration. One way to build on this experiment would be to use different monosaccharides to further test fuels. Different oxidizers could be tried as well.
References
1. Smoke Bombs.
2. Wikipedia, Potassium Nitrate
3. Wikipedia, Smoke Bomb